Yoshihiro Akiyama Signs With One Championship
I'm thrilled to announce that JMMA Korean-Japanese Legend Yoshihiro "Sexyama" Akiyama (15-6) (otherwise known as Choo Sung-Hoon) has officially signed with ONE Championship!
— Chatri Sityodtong (@YODCHATRI) November 29, 2018
It looks like One Championship is about to get into the “sexy” business.
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Starting his combat sports career in judo, “Sexyama” competed and won multiple gold medals in international competitions before pursuing a career in MMA in 2004. Prior to signing with the UFC in 2009, Akiyama started his career at 12-1 with two no-contests, only losing to heavyweight kickboxing powerhouse Jerome Le Banner in his second pro fight.
After joining the UFC, he engaged in several thrilling bouts, becoming one of the first fighters to ever earn three consecutive “Fight of the Night” bonuses in his first three UFC outings. Last competing in November 2015 at UFC Fight Night 79 in South Korea, Akiyama’s UFC career proved to be difficult, facing Chris Leben, Michael Bisping, Vitor Belfort and Jake Shields in consecutive bouts -- losing all four and ending his time with the promotion with a record of 2-5.
The 43 year-old Akiyama's signing is one of a slew of big-ticket moves that One Championship has made recently, with the promotion also acquiring Demetrious Johnson in a “trade” from the UFC, and signing former UFC lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez and Thai boxing standout Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. Former UFC bantamweight champion Miesha Tate recently joined the promotion as a vice president as well. The promotion is also publicly seeking to sign newly-released UFC fighter Sage Northcutt.
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